By Dee Richard
This week had to be the busiest, most time-consuming of the season. Before we start our usual gossip, let me wish some May birthday folk a happy birthday. The ones whom I am aware of are Carolyn Karoff, Kristin Karoff, Barbara Barba and Michael Feldman. Carolyn and Kristin celebrated at Il Bacco in Little Neck, Barbara had her party at George Martin's Grillfire in Douglaston and Michael Feldman's daughter Erica and a friend of hers took Michael to a restaurant in the city. According to all reports, everyone enjoyed their special day.
On Tuesday, the Queens Centers for Progress held its annual dinner-dance at Terrace on the Park. The honorees were city Department of Buildings Commissioner Christopher Santulli and Mark Lacher, a partner in the Koeppel Auto Group and longtime friend of Raytone Plumbing President Michael Martone. It was a great evening.
On Wednesday, the Aldos Independent Democratic Organization had its monthly meeting and dinner at Telly's Taverna in Astoria. The guest spokeswoman was Dale Nussbaum, wife of Michael Nussbaum of Queens Tribune fame. Dale is running for the 23rd City Council seat. Names at the meeting you would recognize were Peter Vallone Jr. (D-Astoria), Morty Povman, John Ciafone, George Dellis, Jerry Fragia, former Staten Island state Assemblyman Mathew Mirones and others.
Last month's speaker was Elizabeth Crowley, who is running for Dennis Gallagher's seat. The Aldos club helped her secure signatures for her petitions. According to them, she gathered over 6,000. If true, pay attention, Anthony Como and Tom Ognibene: that sounds like serious competition.
Thursday was the killer day. It started out at Terrace on the Park at the Queens Chamber of Commerce's annual Business Expo & Health Expo and Luncheon from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The expo provided helpful information and lots of goodies were given out.
From there it was off to the South Street Seaport and Pier 17 for David Weprin's (D-Hollis) birthday party fund-raiser at the Harbour Lights Restaurant from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. There was a beautiful view from the restaurant terrace — especially at sunset. David had quite an impressive turnout of supporters. Guess who appeared to have a friendly and animated conversation? Dale Nussbaum and David Weprin. Why was that interesting? Because they are running against each other for the 23rd City Council seat!
The day was not over yet. Political diehards Kay Glover, Honey Miller and I drove to Antun's in Queens Village to catch the end of the Queens County Democratic Organization's annual spring dinner-dance. When we arrived, mostly everyone had left, as it was late. We did, however, get a few good shots, including one of both Elizabeth Crowley, a candidate for the June 3 special election and Queens County Democratic leader Joe Crowley. Good luck to everyone in the special election.
Another interesting shot was one of political consultant Hank Sheinkopf with state Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Rockaway Beach). Apparently, Audrey is his client and running to replace Helen Marshall as borough president. Hank and I belong to the same alumni association, as we both worked for the Queens Tribune early in our careers. Queens politics seems to lend credence to the six degrees of separation theory.
But the evening was not over yet. It was off to Il Bacco for a night with our good buddies — a relaxing way to end the evening and catch up on local gossip.
Friday night was when the Little Neck/Douglaston Memorial Day Parade Committee members presented awards to the children who entered and won both the annual Art & Essay/Poetry Contest.
The committee gave out first-, second- and third-place prizes to children in kindergarten through eighth-grade. The children were talented. The event was held at Fort Totten and finished off with a pizza party. The children and their parents enjoyed the party. It looked as though the parade members also enjoyed the fun. This year over 250 people attended. The contest receives more entries every year.
That is it for this week.
I look forward to hearing from you directly with information on people, parties, politics or gossip.
I also like receiving your voice mail at 718-767-6484, faxes at 718-746-0066 and e-mail at deerrichard@aol.com.
Till next week, Dee.
